Sangano Praia (Beach)

On the four day weekend to celebrate Angola's 35th anniversary, we traveled to Sangano Beach, a 1.5 hour drive south. It was an overcast day, but that made it all the more pleasent to swim and relax in the balmy breezes off the ocean.  On the drive to the beach we crossed over the Kwanza River and lo and behold we witnessed a macaco (monkey) sitting up in a tree watching the traffic go by.  We met Kjetil Ellingsen and his wife Juliette and children who camped out on the beach the previous night.  The swimming was great and fun to walk on the beach and see the beautiful landscape and fisherman with their catch.

Luanda International Christian Fellowship Church

Vicki and I attended church services this morning at the Luanda International Christian Fellowship Church in Luanda located on the corner of Rua Nicolau Spencer and Luther King.  This was our second visit to the church where english language services are held every Sunday at 7:45 to 9:20.  This church is part of the Third Baptist Church of Luanda. Portuguese language services follow at 10:20 and 12:20.  It is wonderful to be able to understand and to sing and praise God together with others.  One lady even remembered Vicki's name from last week.  It is a joy to sing both contemporary church music and from a older hymnal books that have been inheriated from the First Baptist Church of Portland, Texas, USA. 

Hash Bash

Hash House Harriers:  a loosely-organized group of social organizations focused on running, walking and camaraderie; also referred to as "hashing".  The HHH is sometimes referred to as a drinking club with a walking problem.

Vicki and I participated in the Luanda Hash House Harriers, Hash #411 on Saturday, Nov. 6th.  This was only our second hash having completed our virgin hash two weeks ago.  This hash was special as it included both the usual walk but also a nice party afterwards referred to as the Posh Hash Bash.  Since the hash was in our neighborhood we participated in the morning with the Hares to lay out the path using chalk to mark symbols of where the hounds would follow later in the afternoon.  It was fun meeting the other experienced Hares, some who have been hashing for several years in other countries such as India, Jakarta and Mozambique.  Some of the other Hares were Americans, some Norwegians, but the lead Hare was from Belgium, and he was extremely creative and engaged.  So we laid out the trail in the morning and we walked the trail that afternoon enjoying the finest in sights, sounds and smells from Luanda South.  The ceremonies at the end were as usual, completely ridiculusly fun, and ended with the HHH anthem, "Swing Low Sweet Chariot."  The Hash Bash that followed was very nice indeed!

Our First Hash!

On Saturday, 23 Oct., 2010 we participated in Hash #410 with the Luanda Hash House Harriers.  The Hash House Harriers is a movement that started in the 1930's by British Expats in British Malaysa.  The Hash is known as "A drinking club with a walking problem" and there are Hash clubs all over the world, wherever there are expat communities. The first Hash in Luanda was in the mid 1990's and has been ongoing ever since, every other Saturday, with start time at 4 pm.  The idea is for the Hare's to mark out a trail that the hounds follow with the ultimate goal to find your favorite refreshment at the end of the walk.  The main rule is that there are no rules.  Rule number two is that you must not break the rules. In Luanda, there is safety in walking with such a large group, 40 people, and since we looked like a bunch of clowns we received smiles on the streets and in the neighborhoods where we walked.  We walked about 3.5 miles in the inner city area close to the Gika office where Chris works.  At the end of the afternoon we sang "Swing Low Sweet Chariot" which is the official Hash Anthem.  It was very interesting and fun indeed!  Looking forward to Luanda Hash number 411!

Culture Shock

Life is expanding...African Art culture was a great experience! Inspired!  Our neighbor, Bente Vindvik is an artist.  She invited Vicki and I with her husband Jon to the Celemar Galeria at Ilha de Luanda for the Exposicao Cooperate in celebration of Angola's 35th anniversary of independence from Portugal.  Four of Bente's African theme pieces were on display.  Even though the electricity went out during the program, there was still much to hear, taste and see.  In addition to the art pieces, the Angolan Minister of Culture was on hand, as well as African women drums corp, a theatrical group, fashion models and muscians.  All in a beautiful evening setting with warm, soft breezes off the Atlantic Ocean. 

Igreja Metodista Unida Carlos Kitongo

Vicki and I drove with Mapassa our driver this morning to a Methodist church, Igreja Metodista Unida Carlos Kitongo, about 10 miles south of Luanda Sul.  I had driven with Mapassa the previous day to find the church and took pictures. We arrived this morning at 9:00 am.  Very soon we were lead to the office of the pastor whose name is Pedro.  Pastor Pedro spoke some english and he welcomed us. What a beautiful smile. It was a wonderful service.  Pastor Pedro sat beside us and translated the sermon that a visiting Pastor gave.  The scripture was from Matt 5, 1-13, the Sermon on the Mount.  After three hours we walked out shaking hands with the little children. It was an open air building and a beautiful breeze flowed during the entire service. The choirs were just wonderful to hear.  It was Christianity, Angola style.  What is amazing to were the people who are so clean and well dressed, yet, the area surrounding the church was so poor and littered.  This contrast between the people and the surrounding neighborhood boggels our minds.We pray that one day the roads here will be paved, the rubbish all picked up and the church and community politcial goals will co-exit in harmony for the people.

Mussolo

On Saturday morning, 16 Oct., Vicki packed a lunch and we reluctently left the safety of the compound to travel to Mussolo, an outer bank off the coast.  It was a 20 minute drive down to the waterfront to meet our skipper, Saltnesh.  He motored us out to Mussolo which is a 12 mile long sand bar with palm trees and beach houses and restaurants.  We had called in advance and stated we wished to visit the company beach house.  It was a 30 minute cruise out.  Smashing day! We had decided that this would be a short scouting trip and that we would go back again if we liked it.  WE LIKED IT!  Fresh air, clean, warm and salty ocean water and warm sun.  Vicki showed great form in the water swimming free style!  We plan to go back many more times.